The Morning Unfolds

As dawn creeps into Act II, we find John mid-stride in his mundane task of mopping the kitchen floor. Yet, in a moment of poetic inspiration, he halts, pen in hand, to craft the opening lines of his verse: "I am the River Niger." Soon enough, Dudley arrives, and the two men make their way to the local bar, leaving domestic chores behind. Meanwhile, Mattie shares with Ann the tale of John’s thwarted dreams. Once, he aspired to practice law, but fate had other designs, forcing him to abandon his studies to support Mattie's Southern kin who had flocked to Harlem. Mattie confides in Ann, revealing her guilt-ridden acceptance of John’s drinking, feeling she bears the weight of his unrealized ambitions.

Tensions Rise

With Mattie and Grandma off on a shopping spree, the atmosphere shifts as Mo, Gail, Skeeter, Al, and Chips descend upon the scene, turning their attention to Ann with harassment in mind. Al pursues Ann upstairs, his intentions dark as he attempts to assault her at gunpoint. But before tragedy strikes, Jeff emerges from his room, intercepting Al, wresting the weapon from him, and marching downstairs with the defeated Al in tow, the gun now poised at Al's head. Mo and his entourage try to coerce Jeff into their ranks, but he stands firm, distancing himself from their ideology, declaring his intention to pursue a career in law. Defeated in argument, Mo, Gail, and their crew exit the stage.

The tranquility of the household is momentarily restored with Mattie and Grandma's return, heralding Jeff’s triumphant revelation of his homecoming. He shares his intention to wed Ann, a beacon of hope amidst chaos. Yet, the peace is short-lived as John and Dudley stagger back from their revelry, John insisting that Jeff don his military attire. The request sours when Jeff confesses his failure at the Air Force, admitting he never held it in esteem. John, consumed by anger, storms out, leaving a turbulent silence in his wake.